Ellen Ringenberg, 79 - February 04, 2009

Ellen D. (Miller) Ringenberg, 79, of rural Elwood, formerly of Gothenburg, died Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009, at her home.
A private burial was held at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell.
Ringenberg was born Jan. 7, 1930, in Dawson County on a farm northwest of Gothenburg to Henry J. and Dora L (Rathe) Miller. She was baptized, confirmed and married in the Zion Lutheran Church north of Gothenburg.
She attended rural School District No. 90, later attending Gothenburg High School, the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture and Kearney State Teachers College as well.
Ringenberg taught in one-room country schools in Custer, Frontier, Lincoln, Dawson and Gosper counties for many years before and after her marriage. It was not uncommon for former students to share with her the impact she had on their education and their lives, according to family members. She remained an engaged educator her entire life.
One of her greatest joys in life was seeing her three children receive undergraduate and graduate degrees. Her two sons and a grandson also honored her by becoming Eagle Scouts, said family members.
On June 6, 1954, she was united in marriage to Don Ringenberg of Elwood, who was serving in the United States Air Force stationed at Rapid City, SD, where the couple lived until his discharge from the Air Force at the end of the summer. They then moved to the Ringenberg family farm southwest of Elwood, which remained her home for her entire life.
She was a member and past worthy matron of the Eastern Star, past president of the Pioneer Division club of past worthy matrons, past president of the Tri-County Shrine Auxiliary, past president of her local neighborhood club, Pleasant Hill Country Club, secretary of the United Methodist Women, past president of Morgan Phiffer American Legion Auxiliary and past president of District No. 9 American Legion Auxiliary.
Ringenberg was preceded in death by: her parents, Henry and Dora; five brothers—Henry, Siebelt, Alfred, Reinhold and Harold; a sister, Mildred, at the age of three; sisters-in-law—Doris, Marge, Ileen and Beverly Miller and Virginia Wheeler; two brothers-in-law—Max Ringenberg and Sheldon Wheeler.
Survivors include: her husband of 54 years, Don; her children—Mark (Mary) of Fremont, Carol Lea of Lincoln, and Kurt (Denise) of McCook; five grandchildren—Carly and Cara Ward, Jonathan and Katherine Ringenberg and Mack Alspaugh; a brother, Richard Miller of Foster; a sister, Emma Miller of Castle Rock, CO; sisters-in-law—Dorothy and Evelyn Miller and Phyllis Ringenberg; 23 nieces and nephews.
Memorials are suggested to Little Angel’s Daycare, in care of the Ellen Ringenberg Memorial: P.O. Box 31, Elwood, NE 68937.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at elwoodfuneralhome.com.

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